An estimated total of 2.2 million teachers are needed to meet enrollment increases in the next 10 years and to offset the large number of teachers who are preparing to retire. The nationwide shortage of teachers is already particularly pronounced in the disciplines of science, math, special education and foreign languages.

Unfortunately, young teachers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate. Studies show that teachers are much more likely to remain in the field of education throughout their career if we can help them through the first three years.

I believe that the federal government must assist states and local school districts in attracting and keeping teachers, particularly by addressing the financial barriers that lead to a high attrition rate for new teachers and contribute to our nationwide teacher shortage.

That’s why I have consistently supported legislation to make federal student loan relief for teachers permanent, which became law with the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. I have also been a strong supporter of efforts to increase, expand, and make permanent the teacher tax credit which helps educators offset the out of pocket expenses that they incur during the course of fulfilling their professional responsibilities. This is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 549, legislation which would increase the tax deduction for educators’ out of pocket expenses from $250 to $400 and make it permanent.

It is also time to recognize that career educators are a valuable resource and that recruiting and retaining those teachers is a national priority worthy of federal investment, which is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1828, the Teaching Fellows Act. This legislation would create two federal programs to encourage top students to enter and remain in the field of teaching by offering them $6,500 per year in scholarships, as well as professional development and mentoring assistance. In addition, I was pleased to support H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act, which established the TEACH Grant Program. This program provides pre-paid tuition assistance of $4,000 per year - with a maximum of $16,000 - for high-achieving graduate and undergraduate students who commit to teaching a high-need subject, such as math, science, or a foreign-language, in a high-need school for four years.

Since 2001, college costs have risen at unprecedented rates. In fact, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities have risen 41 percent, after inflation, over the past six years. As more of the cost of college has been passed on to students, students and families are now relying on loans more than ever to pay for college. Today, nearly two-thirds of four-year college students borrow to pay for college and the average student graduates with approximately $19,000 in loan debt. Recent reports also suggest that fear of debt dissuades some segments of the population from attending college and that student debt often dictates the career paths that students will follow.

H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act, which was signed into law on September 28, 2007, begins to address this issue by making the single largest investment in college financial aid since the 1944 GI Bill. Specifically, it increases the maximum Pell grant award from its current level of $4,310 to $4,800 next year and $5,400 by 2012. It is estimated that about 6 million low- and moderate-income students nationwide would benefit from this increase in the maximum Pell Grant level, including about 58,700 students in the state of Kansas.

The College Cost Reduction Act also cuts interest rates in half for undergraduate students with subsidized student loans - those in most financial need - over the next five years. Once fully phased-in, this interest rate cut could save the typical student borrower - those with $13,800 in need-based student loan debt - $4,400 over the life of the loan. H.R. 2669 also increases the borrowing limits for third and fourth year students to $7,500, and increases the aggregate borrowing limit for undergraduates to $30,500, and for graduates to $65,000.

On February 7, 2008, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, which would reauthorize the Higher Education Act through 2012. This legislation is designed to empower students and parents by providing enhanced information about college costs, update programs to better meet the needs of changing student populations, and strengthen financial aid opportunities. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Increase the maximum Pell grant from $5,800 to $9,000 per year and ensure that year-round Pell Grants are available to certificate, non-traditional, and part-time students;
• Encourage colleges to rein in price increases and provide students and parents with helpful information;
• Ensure states maintain higher education funding and provides incentives, such as additional need-based aid, to encourage colleges to hold down price increases;
• Restore integrity and accountability to student loan programs;
• Streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process;
• Strengthen our workforce and competitiveness, and bolster students’ interest in high-need areas - like science, technology, and critical foreign languages;
• Increase college aid and support for veterans and military families by creating a new scholarship program for active duty military personnel, veterans, and their family members.

H.R. 4137 would complement the landmark investment that Congress made with the College Cost Reduction and Access Act by improving the financial aid application and delivery system and closing the college access and completion gaps for low-income and minority students.

While progress has been made, we must continue to work together to increase the accessibility and affordability of higher education so that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Jobs of the future will require an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of math and science. We must take steps now to ensure that American students and workers are prepared for the careers of the future and that our nation is equipped to compete in the global economy.

In 2005, the National Academies of Science released a report, 'Rising Above the Gathering Storm,' which warned that without increased spending on research and math and science education the U.S. could lose technology jobs to other nations. The report also outlined four main areas in which the government could foster scientific advancement: K-12 education, higher education, research, and economic policy - and made specific recommendations for each area.

On August 2, 2007, the House passed, with my support, H.R. 2272, legislation that responds to the global economic challenges identified in the National Academies report and will help ensure that American students, teachers, businesses, and workers will be prepared to continue leading the world in innovation, research, and technology development. The President signed this legislation into law on August 9, 2007.

Specifically, H.R. 2272 will: train more of our students in math, science, engineering, and technology; increase our country’s investment in basic scientific research and development (R&D); promote research into new energy research and technology development, and; support innovation among small businesses. H.R. 2272 is a tremendous step forward and will be incredibly valuable in helping our country maintain its global competitiveness in the 21st century.

When Congress enacted the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, the available estimate of the cost of educating children with disabilities was, on average, twice the cost of educating other children. A determination was made that the federal government would pay 40% of this excess cost.

Congress and successive Administrations have continually failed to provide 40% of the costs of educating special needs students that was originally promised, which has shifted the costs of implementing this law back to local taxpayers. Federal funding shortfalls combined with increased mandates are making the jobs of local school districts harder at a time when many state budgets are also facing serious constraints.

This is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 821, the Everyone Deserves UnConditional Access to Education (EDUCATE) Act. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Mike Ferguson, would mandate gradual increases in IDEA funding over the next 7 years and mandate full 40% funding of IDEA in FY2015 and each subsequent fiscal year.

Six years ago, we made a decision as a nation to raise our expectations of what America’s schools and schoolchildren could achieve. We made a decision to insist upon high standards.

I think we can all agree with the intent of the current version of NCLB, which is to ensure that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education with increased achievement for all students. Unfortunately, the devil is in the details and problems have emerged.

For example, the federal government has yet to fully fund NCLB, falling about $15 billion short in Fiscal Year 2007 alone and $55 billion short since the law was enacted. To address this problem, I introduced legislation, H.R. 684, the Keeping our Promises to America’s Children Act, which would allow a state education agency or school district to suspend implementation of NCLB provisions until it is fully funded. We must provide the resources and support our schools need to meet this new standard of excellence.

I also conducted an online survey of teachers and administrators and hosted several community forums in April 2007, to hear directly from you about the issues you’re facing with NCLB. While the news isn’t all bad, it’s certainly not all good, either.

As Congress considers legislation to reauthorize NCLB, we must address the serious concerns raised by people around the country so that we can ensure that we have an education law that treats schools and children fairly, that provides educators and administrators the flexibility they need to meet high standards, and that delivers to schools the resources they need to improve and succeed.